OHSAA boys soccer: Scouting state semifinals

Hawken's boys soccer team, playing in its 11th state final four, is trying to better last year's runner-up finish when the Hawks and goalie Peter Labes, right, fell to Worthington Christian, 2-0. (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

What to watch: Both teams are unranked and making their first appearance in the final four. Aurora is the feel-good story of the division, knocking off five strong opponents in the playoffs that included Walsh Jesuit, Solon, Hudson, Jackson and St. Edward, 1-0, in the regional final. After losing 12 seniors and eight starters, 14-year coach Chris Gentille starts only three seniors. Junior goalkeeper Justin Pavlick has a school-record 13 shutouts. Junior forward Dalton Browsky has 20 goals and eight assists, with senior midfielder Kevin Blackley with 12 and six. Midfielders Nicki Perez and Trevor Wendel have 10 and nine scores, respectively, with Wendel getting the winner against St. Edward. Southview went 2-3 to end the regular season, but handed No. 7-ranked Anthony Wayne its first loss in the regional semi and defeated Westlake, 3-1, in the final. The Cougars have allowed 31 goals. Daniel Blackmar paces the offense with 27 scores.

What to watch: Unranked Mason is in the final four for the first time. After getting off to a slow start, they have gone 14-0-1, giving up seven goals during that stretch. The Comets have outscored opponents 66-10. Liberty was ranked No. 2 to St. Ignatius in the final state poll. The Patriots’ lone loss was to Thomas Worthington. They lost last year’s title game to St. Ignatius, 4-2. They have outscored five playoff foes, 26-4 and hold a 95-15 season edge in scoring.

What to watch: Both area teams have plenty of state experience. No. 9 Bay is making its 12th trip to the semifinals, with titles in 1993 and 1991, and second-place finishes in 2009 and 2005. The Rockets started the season 0-2-1 and were 5-4-3, allowing 20 goals. They have won nine straight by outscoring foes, 34-4. Balanced scoring includes Brady Kinsey at 11 goals and seven assists, with Dan Linhart at nine goals and five assists. No. 8 CVCA has nine semifinals, with titles in 2010, 2007 and 2004. The Royals were second in 2009, 2008 and 2002. They have played a tough schedule across divisions I and II, losing three straight at one point. In the playoffs, they avenged a loss to No. 3 Archbishop Hoban, knocked off No. 1-ranked Revere and No. 6 Lakeview. CVCA scored a second win against No. 5 University School in the regional final. Senior Tim Horth anchors a defense that has allowed 19 goals. Senior Zach Bosshard (nine goals) and sophomore Ben Locke (17) pace the defense, with junior Sammy Meszaros (four) getting the winner against US, 1-0.

What to watch: Carroll is going for the three-peat, having won titles the past two seasons and four overall (2008 and 1980). The Patriots, ranked No. 2, needed an overtime goal to defeat No. 3 Bellbrook and blanked No. 10 Indian Hill, 2-0, in the regional final. They hold a 93-12 scoring advantage. Bexley comes in unranked and knocked off Dover in overtime, 1-0, in the regional final. The Lions are led by Jacob Cini with 14 goals and Jacob Hodge at 13. They have a 69-18 edge in scoring.

What to watch: The No. 5 Hawks lost in last year’s title game to Worthington Christian. They have been to the semifinals 11 times, coming in second seven times. Hawken’s lone loss was to No. 1-ranked Western Reserve Academy, which does not compete in the playoffs. Senior Jacob Naft leads the club in scoring with 24 goals. Senior goalkeeper Peter Labes, along with senior defenders Zack Whiting and Brian Drockton have been holding the back line together down the stretch. The Hawks hold a 67-20 scoring advantage. Ottawa Hills is unranked and has turned in four shutouts in the playoffs behind goalkeeper Michael Geiger. Brandon Zakeri has 20 goals and eight assists, with Blake Pappas at 15 goals and eight assists. The Green Bears won the title in 2008, reaching the semis in 2010.

What to watch: Getting this far in the tournament is nothing new for Worthington Christian. The No. 4-ranked Warriors have been to the title game the previous four years. They have three titles and three second places since 2000. They hold a 29-2 scoring advantage in the tournament, including a 2-0 win against Berlin Hiland in the regional final. No. 3 Country Day is unscored on in the postseason, with a 13-0 run. The Silver Knights won the 1999 title.

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